With hundreds of fatal accidents occurring in railyards every single year, proper safety equipment isn’t just a purchase–it’s a life-saving priority. With several small additions to your operation, you can ensure your workers, environment, and surrounding communities are completely protected. Keep reading for our 2025 recommendations for essential railcar safety equipment.
Why Railcar Safety Equipment is Important
Without proper equipment, railcars pose significant safety risks. For example, take a 2013 incident in Quebec. When left unsupervised overnight, a freight train began to roll. While this freight train was seemingly secured with both hand brakes and air brakes, both these systems failed. This incident resulted in several box cars and tank cars derailing, which caused crude oil spills, fires, building damage, and 47 fatal injuries to surrounding civilians.
This incident clearly underlines the importance of railcar wheel chocks, derails and other essential physical railcar safety equipment. Now, as determined by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, Canadian railways must use additional physical protections to help prevent runaway equipment.
Essential Railcar Loading Equipment
Ready to transform your operations? Here are some essential railcar safety products–all in stock at Northern Platforms today!
Railcar Wheel Chocks
Railcar wheel chocks help secure the wheels of your railcar while it is being loaded or unloaded. Metal spurs bite into the railway, offering maximum security and safety for workers. At Northern Platforms, we stock a variety of railcar wheel chocks, including:
In some emergency situations, your best option is to derail your railcar and prevent catastrophic incidents. That’s where derails come in. These devices lift the wheel’s flange off the track, effectively allowing the wheels of the car to bite into a soft surface and slide to a stop. Derails help prevent:
One car rolling into another car.
Unauthorized rolling locomotives from crashing into stationary cars.
Loose cars from rolling onto the main line.
Blue Flags
In Alberta, blue flags are mandatory. These safety signs indicate to approaching operators that railcars are being loaded or unloaded in the area and to signal that there are workers in the area. Blue flags must be placed on the railway or on a traincar that is easily visible to approaching operators.
Switch Cube Indicators
Switch cube indicators are common at switches and are often the result of human error. For example, inexperienced operators might not know to accurately read the switch points. Illuminated switch cubes are an ideal piece of equipment that helps clearly indicate which direction the track is going. Many of these cubes are equipped with solar panels, making them energy-efficient and long-lasting.
Railcar Sockets
Tank car sockets are available in both steel and bronze configurations, with hex or 8-point designs ranging from 1-5/16″ to 1-7/8″. Steel sockets handle up to 1,500 ft./lbs. of maximum torque, while bronze versions are spark-resistant and rated for 500 ft./lbs.. These tools work with T-wrenches to provide proper leverage for opening and closing dome lid nuts without damaging gaskets or threads.
Brake Sticks
An essential piece of worker equipment, brake sticks help operators work railcar brakes without the use of a ladder. Depending on your needs, there are several different types of brake sticks available, including:
Telescoping brake sticks with or without magnetic handles
Light-weight fixed-length brake sticks
Heavy-duty brake sticks
Railcar Mover
Need to move your railcar an inch for the perfect position? These units are impossible to move without locomotive power–unless you have a railcar mover. These simple pieces of equipment allow single workers to move a fully-loaded railcar small distances, allowing them to perfectly align other equipment or loading operations.
Spill Containment Pans
Accidents happen, even in perfect operating conditions. When dealing with oil, chemicals, or other hazardous cargo, spill containment track pans are an essential fail-safe to help prevent environmental damage. Our product features a modular design that can easily be modified to contain everything from small drips to catastrophic leaks.
Ready to Enhance Your Railcar Safety?
Railcar wheel chocks, sockets, movers…what piece of safety equipment will you add to your operations? No matter what you decide, the Northern Platforms team is here to help! Explore our product catalogue online or contact our sales team today! Let us help you make your railyard safer, more compliant, and more efficient in 2025.
Top Applications for Industrial Swing Gates
Oil and Gas Plants
Oil and gas facilities can be dangerous work sites, especially when operators regularly deal with elevated work platforms, ladders, and other falling hazards. In fact, one of the most significant risks for all workers is unsecured access points on ladders and hatches.
While these risks are significant, ensuring complete safety is easy. Oil and gas facilities count on YellowGate’s industrial swing gates to provide 24/7 protection for all open access points on ladders, stairs, and other areas on their site. For example, the Northern Platforms team installed over 50 safety swing gates at an oil and natural gas facility in central Alberta. This allowed workers to safely navigate the processing plant and ensure they were protected from falling hazardous at every step.
Food Processing Facilities
Food and beverage processing facilities combine elevated work environments with strict hygiene requirements. Workers regularly access significant heights on tanks, conveyor systems, and assembly lines. In these circumstances, food processing facilities can benefit from installing safety swing gates in several locations, including:
Mixing tanks and other processing locations.
Elevated conveyor systems.
Ladders and stairways leading to packaging and bottling assembly lines.
Rooftop Access
No matter what industry you operate in, you or your workers will likely have to access the rooftop at some point. From performing HVAC checks to maintaining important equipment, these regular tasks can be dangerous without proper protection in place. Pair your safety swing gates with portable railing systems for comprehensive rooftop fall protection.
Warehouse Loading Docks
In addition to standard adjustable swing gates, YellowGate offers the XL barrier gate, which offers 6 feet of adjustable traffic control. Suitable for both interior and exterior applications, this products easily protects passageways in your facilities, helping you control dangerous areas or block unauthorized access.
The Universal Solution: YellowGate Industrial Safety Gates
When dealing with conventional safety swing gates, your supplier will need to know several details, including:
The size of each opening where the gate will be installed.
How the gate will be mounted (square tubing vs. pipes).
The direction that the gate will swing.
However, with YellowGate’s innovative industrial safety gates, you don’t have to worry about all these details. Featuring a unique universal mounting system and 16-inch adjustability, these fall protection solutions fit almost every type of opening, regardless of your facility. For complete protection, simply count the number of openings on your site and place your order with Northern Platforms—no need for measuring, mounting considerations, or other time-consuming assessments.
Protect Your Facility Today
Ready to simplify your facility’s fall protection with universal adjustable swing gates? With just one SKU, you can guarantee your workers are protected at every turn. Contact Northern Platforms today for turnkey installation, maintenance programs, and more!
Looking for reliable industrial swing gates that work across every application? YellowGate has revolutionized workplace safety with a universal industrial swing gate that is suitable for virtually every application. These adjustable swing gates eliminate the traditional complexity of safety equipment while delivering superior protection across multiple industrial sectors. Keep reading to learn more about common uses for this product—and how to order YellowGate safety swing gates from Northern Platforms today!
Top Applications for Industrial Swing Gates
Oil and Gas Plants
Oil and gas facilities can be dangerous work sites, especially when operators regularly deal with elevated work platforms, ladders, and other falling hazards. In fact, one of the most significant risks for all workers is unsecured access points on ladders and hatches.
While these risks are significant, ensuring complete safety is easy. Oil and gas facilities count on YellowGate’s industrial swing gates to provide 24/7 protection for all open access points on ladders, stairs, and other areas on their site. For example, the Northern Platforms team installed over 50 safety swing gates at an oil and natural gas facility in central Alberta. This allowed workers to safely navigate the processing plant and ensure they were protected from falling hazardous at every step.
Food Processing Facilities
Food and beverage processing facilities combine elevated work environments with strict hygiene requirements. Workers regularly access significant heights on tanks, conveyor systems, and assembly lines. In these circumstances, food processing facilities can benefit from installing safety swing gates in several locations, including:
Mixing tanks and other processing locations.
Elevated conveyor systems.
Ladders and stairways leading to packaging and bottling assembly lines.
Rooftop Access
No matter what industry you operate in, you or your workers will likely have to access the rooftop at some point. From performing HVAC checks to maintaining important equipment, these regular tasks can be dangerous without proper protection in place. Pair your safety swing gates with portable railing systems for comprehensive rooftop fall protection.
Warehouse Loading Docks
In addition to standard adjustable swing gates, YellowGate offers the XL barrier gate, which offers 6 feet of adjustable traffic control. Suitable for both interior and exterior applications, this products easily protects passageways in your facilities, helping you control dangerous areas or block unauthorized access.
The Universal Solution: YellowGate Industrial Safety Gates
When dealing with conventional safety swing gates, your supplier will need to know several details, including:
The size of each opening where the gate will be installed.
How the gate will be mounted (square tubing vs. pipes).
The direction that the gate will swing.
However, with YellowGate’s innovative industrial safety gates, you don’t have to worry about all these details. Featuring a unique universal mounting system and 16-inch adjustability, these fall protection solutions fit almost every type of opening, regardless of your facility. For complete protection, simply count the number of openings on your site and place your order with Northern Platforms—no need for measuring, mounting considerations, or other time-consuming assessments.
Protect Your Facility Today
Ready to simplify your facility’s fall protection with universal adjustable swing gates? With just one SKU, you can guarantee your workers are protected at every turn. Contact Northern Platforms today for turnkey installation, maintenance programs, and more!
An essential part of many Albertan industries, tanker trucks transport essential chemicals, food products, and water on a daily basis. However, without proper fall protection, these essential trailers can become dangerous work sites. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the basics of a truck loading platform—including how they are used, what industries rely on them, and the elements that make up the ideal system. Keep reading to learn more!
What is a Truck Loading Platform?
A truck loading platform is a specialized access system designed to provide safe, elevated access to the tops of tanker trucks and trailers during loading and unloading operations. These platforms typically consist of a sturdy steel or aluminum structure with integrated stairs, handrails, and safety features that allow workers to safely reach truck hatches, connection points, and inspection areas. By utilizing these systems, workers are protected from the significant safety risks of vehicle-mounted ladders.
Common Industrial Uses for Truck Loading Platforms
In today’s industrial world, tanker trucks are used to transport a wide variety of items. Here are some common industries that use tanker truck loading platforms daily.
Chemicals and Refined Fuels
As Alberta’s leading sector, oil and gas facilities rely on loading platforms to safely load and unload the hazardous materials they deal with on a daily basis.
Uses: In addition to basic access, operators will use a truck loading rack to connect loading arms, vent overfills, and monitor transfer operations.
Special Considerations: When dealing with harsh chemicals, pay close attention to the materials of your loading system. Opt for a strong and corrosion-resistant material like stainless steel.
Food and Beverage Operations
Food and beverage facilities across Canada require truck loading platforms that meet the highest sanitary standards while maintaining worker safety during liquid ingredient transfers.
Uses: Typically, workers in the food and beverage industry use loading platforms to inspect hatch seals for contamination prevention, connect food-grade hoses and loading arms, collect quality control samples, and monitor transfer operations of milk, juices, cooking oils, and liquid sweeteners.
Special Considerations: Food-grade materials and seals are a must for food and beverage operations. Northern Platforms has extensive experience building systems that meet or exceed the stringent sanitary regulations in this industry.
Bulk Water Stations
Remote locations and Northern communities depend on water filling trucks to access clean drinking water. However, without adequate fall protection, operators face a large risk of catastrophic injury.
Uses: Operators use these platforms to safely access the tops of water tanker trucks and provide potable water to local residents.
Special Considerations: Many Northern Canadian communities rely on truck fill stations. However, these areas also deal with harsh temperatures which demand systems that function up to -40°C. With over two decades of experience working with cold temperatures, Northern Platforms regularly builds systems that are built for the climate.
A platform to provide a solid foundation and stable work surface for workers.
Gangways are used to connect the main platform to the vehicle and protect operators from falling. Northern Platforms stocks three different gangway options which are suitable for a variety of applications. We recommend adding a safety cage to end of your gangway for complete protection.
Finally, pair your platform with a loading arm for smooth loading and unloading operations. These systems are sturdier and safer than hoses and can significantly increase the efficiency of your operation.
How Northern Platforms Can Help
With over 20 years of experience designing, building, and installing custom truck loading platforms, Northern Platforms is your trusted partner for all things fall protection. We have experience building tanker truck loading platforms for a variety of industries, including oil and gas operations, food and beverage facilities, municipal water filling stations, and more. Here’s how our process works:
On-site Consultation: Our convenient Central Alberta location means that we can be on your site within a couple of hours. Once we arrive, we’ll conduct a thorough evaluation to understand your operational requirements, safety challenges, and more.
Truck Loading Platform Design: Next, we’ll draw on decades of collective experience to design a tanker truck loading system that integrates seamlessly into your site. Our designs consider everything from material compatibility to local safety regulations. We’ll also provide a cost estimate at this stage.
Turnkey Installation: Avoid the headache of working with multiple contractors—Northern Platforms can take care of it all. With our turnkey installation services, we’ll ensure that your platform, gangway, and loading arm work together.
Request a Quote Today!
Ready to upgrade your truck loading platform? Call Northern Platforms today! Let’s work together to make your site safer and more efficient.
While flatbeds might not look as dangerous as tanker trucks or railcars, the truth is that working on these trailers regularly puts operators at risk of fatal falls. Plus, this risk is substantially increased without proper fall protection systems that adapt to the needs of the modern workplace. Enter: mobile fall protection for flatbed trailers. These simple and reliable systems turn life-threatening hazards into manageable solutions. Ready to learn how this product can transform your operations? Keep reading!
What are Mobile Fall Protection Platforms?
Combining safety, versatility, and adaptability, mobile fall protection platforms are an ideal addition to any operation that regularly deals with flatbed trailers. This equipment is designed to provide a secure working surface and fall protection for workers. It typically features large work surfaces, safety handrails, and wheels, allowing them to be positioned alongside trailers where needed.
Benefits of Mobile Platforms for Flatbed Fall Protection
Mobility: The most obvious advantage of this system is that mobile platforms move with your workers, unlike fixed systems. These systems are often equipped with 360-degree casters, making it easy for a single worker to move and position this system.
Versatility: From traditional flatbed trailers to step decks and lowboys, mobile platforms can be customized for any application. Mobile platforms are more than fall protection systems—they’re adaptable solutions with multiple uses. Once loading or unloading is complete, they can be used as standalone work platforms, access solutions, and more. Plus, mobile platforms can often be customized with modular handrails, enclosure panels, and more.
Passive Protection: While active fall protection systems like fall arrests require worker compliance, mobile platforms provide consistent support without any additional effort. With proper guardrails, operators are protected 24/7.
Introducing: RollAStep’s MP Series
Looking for your go-to flatbed fall safety solution? Look no further–RollaStep’s MP Series is one of the best products on the market. Combining the stability of a fixed work platform with the versatility of a movable platform, this fall protection system features:
9’ x 3’ work platforms to accommodate numerous operators.
360-degree swivelling and locking casters.
Removable handrails for ultimate versatility.
No-flat tires.
Aggressive no-slip surface.
Extra wide no-slip tread.
Technical Specifications
RollAStep’s MP series comes in several different sizes to accommodate the different circumstances of your site. Here are the technical specifications of each model:
Top Notch Products: We’re Western Canada’s leading supplier of RollaStep, ErectaStep, and SafeRack products. These brands are backed by decades of expertise and offer some of the bestselling fall protection products in all of North America.
One Stop Shop: Our Leduc warehouse is fully stocked and ready to serve you. On top of mobile platforms, we offer comprehensive solutions for truck and railcar loading, modular work platforms for warehouses, and more! No matter your needs, let Northern Platforms take care of it all.
On-Site Assessments: Whenever possible, the Northern Platforms team will schedule a comprehensive on-site assessment to identify your needs and recommend the ideal solution. If you are located in Alberta, give our team a call and we’ll have someone on site within a few business days.
Looking to revolutionize your operations in 2025? With several safe access suppliers on the market, it can be hard to pick the right partner. But, with over 2 decades of experience, ErectaStep is the go-to provider for all things safe access. Keep reading to learn more about their best-selling products—and how they are in stock at the Northern Platforms warehouse today.
ErectaStep: Safety and Productivity Guaranteed
One of the industry’s leading fall protection and access system providers, ErectaStep has delivered safety and operational efficiency to job sites across North America for over 20 years. With innovative modular access platforms and easy-to-use solutions, they are a go-to partner for reliable and compliant equipment.
Top ErectaStep Products for 2025
Modular Access Platforms
Industrial plants and work facilities are filled with piping, cable trays, production lines, and more. While essential for the operation of your facility, all these obstacles can make moving around your facility a challenge. That’s where ErectaStep’s modular access platforms come in. These modular systems use just five components to create endless configurations, including:
Portable stairs are an essential addition for both permanent and temporary job sites. Available in seven sizes from 28” to 63”, these units use telescopic legs to create a stable platform on uneven ground. Use these mobile access platforms to provide access to:
Ready to ensure total fall protection in 2025? ErectaStep’s safety swing gates can easily be added to any opening in your warehouse between 24” and 37”. Plus, the newest model comes preassembled, making installation a breeze. For wider passages, the YellowGate XL barrier gate helps control access to larger openings, like loading docks or driveways.
With an expansive product line and over two decades in business, it is no surprise that ErectaStep is a go-to for plants and warehouses nationwide. Here are some of the reasons you should choose ErectaStep and Northern Platforms to level up your facility this year:
Quick Installation: Whether you opt for a couple of safety swing gates or a comprehensive catwalk system, all ErectaStep products are easy to assemble and install. Avoid the hassle of hot work permits, crane work, or extended shutdowns and increase your productivity within hours.
Real-Time Configuration: Using ErectaStep’s proprietary configurator, our team can create plans and drawings for your system in real time. This can help your team visualize your new system, identify any problems, and receive the plan for your ideal design—all with one appointment.
OH&S Compliant: Every ErectaStep system is built to comply with or exceed the relevant safety regulations of your jurisdiction. All products ensure that your workers are protected and that your site is compliant.
In Stock Now: One of the biggest benefits of choosing Northern Platforms and Erectastep? Speed. All the products included in this article are in stock at our Leduc warehouse right now, meaning we can design, supply, and install your next safe access solution in no time. Do you have a project with a tight timeline? Contact our team today—we are ready to help.
Northern Platforms: Western Canada’s Chosen ErectaStep Supplier
Ready to add some bestselling ErectaStep products to your Albertan operation? As Western Canada’s premier ErectaStep distributor, Northern Platforms has all these products—and more—in stock at our Leduc warehouse. From brand-new catwalk systems to swing gates for added security, our team is ready for rapid delivery across Alberta and British Columbia. Ready to get started? Contact our team to schedule your initial assessment today!
Are you considering a new railcar loading system? You’ll need a provider who knows the ins and outs of loading equipment, fall protection systems, and more. Keep reading to learn how partnering with a full-service company like Northern Platforms will help deliver expert results.
Key Takeaways
Railcar systems count on several elements (loading platforms, gangways, loading arms, and more) for efficient loading and unloading. All these elements must work hand in hand.
Ad hoc approaches leave companies vulnerable to operational delays and ineffective systems.
Partnering with a full-service company like Northern Platforms early on in the process generates the best possible railcar loading system.
Why Turnkey Railcar Loading Systems Win
1. Everything Works Together Seamlessly
Railcar loading systems can be complicated. In order to function properly, your gangway, loading arm, and platform need to work hand in hand. However, when you opt for multiple products from multiple contractors, you risk compatibility issues, which can have both short-term and long-term effects on your system.
On the other hand, turnkey providers help eliminate compatibility issues from the start. With a unified system, every component works together flawlessly, eliminating operational concerns and significantly reducing installation stress.
2. They Draw on Decades of Experience
When you opt for an experienced and full-service safe access provider, you will have countless years of experience at your disposal. While piecemeal providers might only have experience in their niche, a company like Northern Platforms has been designing, building, and maintaining complete systems for over 20 years. We’ve tackled everything from simple systems to multi-hatch configurations. We also have expertise in many different industries, including natural gas liquids (NGLs), refined fuels, agricultural products (fertilizer, NH3, UAN) and more.
3. They’re Infinitely Customizable
When it comes to railcar loading systems, there is no “one size fits all.” You and your contractor will need to consider many different factors and circumstances to ensure your new rack seamlessly integrates into your operations. Here are some questions that you should keep in mind:
What type of railcars are you regularly performing work on?
How are your railcars being moved around the site?
What are the limits of your existing system?
Based on your answers to these questions and more, an experienced and full service provider can design a system that is directly based on your needs. This might include selecting the ideal loading arm, choosing the right fittings, and adding additional safety features like wheel chocks, blue flags, and spill containment pads.
4. They Have One Contact From Start to Finish
One of the biggest operational advantages of partnering with a turnkey provider? Your project will have one contact from start to finish. Avoid the headache of juggling multiple vendors, timelines, contacts, and invoices and let Northern Platforms take care of everything from installation to ongoing maintenance and repairs!
Northern Platforms: Western Canada’s Experts in Railcar Loading Systems
Western Canadian companies depend on reliable, functional, and long-lasting railcar loading racks. But without proper designs, project management, or products, these essential systems can fail you when you need them most.
Avoid operational delays and costly mistakes—opt for a full-service provider who oversees your project from beginning to end. At Northern Platforms, we guarantee expert fall protection systems, high-quality products, and customer service that puts you and your operations first. Ready to upgrade your railcar loading rack? Contact our sales team to learn more about our products or schedule your site visit today!
